Improving Patient Care in Hand Surgery Through Non-narcotic Postoperative Pain Control Regimens.

Abstract

Due to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States, increasing attention has been placed on examining and altering opioid prescribing practices, especially within orthopedic surgery, one of the highest prescribing specialties. In recent years, there has been a growing body of literature within orthopedics, and specifically hand surgery, regarding opioids and alternative anesthesia/analgesia options to improve patient care and safety. In this review, we look at the current literature as it pertains to narcotic use in hand surgery, with an aim to alter prescribing habits to improve the quality of patient care and patient safety.